Machine for forming armature-coils



F. C NICKOL AND C. H. KNOWLES.

MACHINE FOR FORMING ARMATURE COILS.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 17, 1917 I'sHEELs-SHEET 1.

lmmmw Batented Apr. 20, 1920.

ZKzozzzZw F. C. NICKOL AND C. h'. KNOWLES.

MACHINE FOR FORMING ARMATURE COILS.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 1.]. 1917.

1,337,463, Patented Apr. 20, 1920.

YSHEETS-SHEET 2.

awucmtow F. C. NICKOL AND C. H. KNOWLES.

MACHINE FOR FORMING ARMATURE COILS.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. I7, I9I7- Apr 20,

ZSHEETS-.-SHEET 3.

PVC. NICKOL AND C. H. KNOWLES. MACHINE FOR FORMING ARMATURE COILS.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 17, 1917.

1 37,463, Patented Apr. 20; 1920.

7SHEETSSHEET 4.

a \II :5

ll HR HI'KHHH RHHHHHHMHHH 5M uemtow F. C. NICKOL AND C. H. KNOWLES.

MACHINE FOR FORMING ARMATURE COILS.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 17, 1917.

1,337,463. Patented Apr. 20, 1920.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 5- F. C. NICKOL AND C. H. KNOWLES. MACHINE FOR FORMING ARMATURE COILS.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 1.7, 19]]. 1,337,4;63, Patented Apr. 20, 1920.

ISHEETS-SHEEI 7.

atto'znug UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FREDERICK C. NICKOL AND CLARENCE H. KNOWLES, OF DAYTON, OHIO, ASSIGNORS TO CITY MACHINE AND TOOL WORKS, A COPARTNERSEIP CONSISTING 0F FREDERICK C. NICKOL AND OSCAR M. POOCK, BOTH OF DAYTON, OHIO.

MACHINE FOR FORMING ARMATURE-COILS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 20, 1920.

Application filed December 17, 1917. Serial No. 207,436.

provements in Machines for Forming Armature-Coils, of which the following is a spec'- fication, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to a machine for forming armature coils and the like.

In the manufacture of electrical apparatus the armature is frequently constructed by applying to the core a series of separately formed bars, or coils, instead of winding the core with wire. These coils are usually substantially U-shape in their general outline but are given an exact shape, or configuratiomto conform them to the positions which they are to occupy in the armature. The formation of the coils by hand, with the ordinary forming devices, is a slow and expensive process, and the object of this invention is to provide a machine upon which the coils may be rapidly and accurately formed. To this end it is a further objectof the invention to provide such a machine whirh will take the stock, from which the coils are to be formed, from a roll, sever therefrom a section of the proper length, and automatically form the section so severed into a coil having the desired configuration.

It is also an object of the invention to so construct the machine that it will require but a few operations to form the coil, thus enabling the machine to be of a comparatively simple character. I

Other objects of the invention will appe as the mechanism is described in detail.

In the accompanying drawings Figure l is a side elevat on, partly in section, of a machine embodying our invention; F in is a front elevation, partly in section, of such a machine; Fig. 3 is a top plan view of such a machine with one end thereof broke-n away; F 4* is a front elevation of the forming devices; Fig. dis a detail view of portion of the die plate; dig. 6 is a section taken on the line 66 of Fig. 4; Fig. 7 is section taken on the line 7- 7 of Fig. i; Fig 8 is detail plan view of the locking and f ejecting devices; Fig. 9 is a horizontal sectional view taken through the forming devices and showing the same in the positions which they occupy at the beginning of the forming operations; Fig. 10 is a similar view showing the parts in the positions which they occupy when the bar has been bent about the die plate; Fig. 11 is a similar View showing the parts in the positions which they occupy when the forming dies have closed upon the stock; Fig. 12 is a sectional detail view of the'cutter and holding devlce; Fig. 13 is a detail View of a cutter operating lever; Fig. 1a is a detail of the actuating device for the lock; and Fig. 15 a perspective view of the coil which is formed by the machine.

in these drawings we have illustrated one embodiment of the invention and have shown the same in a machine adapted to produce an armature coil having the configuration shown in Fig. 15, but it will be understood that the invention can be utilized to produce armature coils, or other articles, having a configuration different from tl at of the present armature coil, as the production of such other articles would require only minor changes in the shapes and arrangements of the forming devices without any departure from the spirit o the invention. In this connection it may be noted that the terms coil and bar of metal as herein employed are intended to designate the article to be formed and the stock from which the article is formed, and are not intended to limit the invention to any particular article, or to stock of any particular kind.

In that embodiment of the invention here illustrated we have shown the mechanism as mounted upon a main frame 1 comprising a top plate and side walls, and mounted upon legs, or supporting standards, 2, to give it the proper height. The stock from which the articles are to be formed may be delivered to the forming devices in any suitable manner, but in the present instance the stock is in the nature of a flat copper wire, substantially rectangular in cross-section, and comes in rolls, or coils, and we prefer to feed the same to the machine directly from the roll. In Fig. 1 we have shown a portion of a roll of stock at 3 and this roll may be supported in the position shown'upon the usual or any suitchine.

able supporting device. The end of the stock or wire is first passed through suitable straightening devices 4:, which may be of any suitable character, and as they form no part of the invention need not here be described in detail. The stock passes from the straightening devices to a feeding mechanism which operates intermittently to feed the stock forward a predetermined distance upon each operation thereof. The length of the section of stock fed forward preferably corresponds exactly to the length of the bar required to form the coil, or other article to be manufactured. Feeding devices of various kinds may be employed for this purpose but that here shown is simple in its construction and gives highly satisfactory results. The feeding device here shown comprises a slide-block 5 mounted for reciprocatory movement on an upwardly extending bracket 6, which is rigidly, but adjustably, secured to and forms a part of the main frame. The feeding mechanism comprises a pair of gripping devices which, in the present instance, comprise jaws, one of which, the jaw 7, is rigidly secured to the slide-block 5, while the other, or movable jaw 8, is pivotally mounted. on the slideblock. Suitable means are provided for moving the movable jaw into engagement with the stock to cause the latter to be gripped by the two jaws prior to the reciprocatory, or feeding, movement of the slide-block. Preferably the jaw is connected with the device which actuates the slideblock so that the jaw will be moved into engagement wiih the stock prior to the initial movement of the slide-block and will be retained firmly in engagement therewith throughout the movement of the block. In the present construction a rock arm 9 is connected with the pivoted jaw 8 and is connected in any suitable manner, as by means of a link 10, with the operating device for the slide-block, w ich is here shown as an arm, or lever, 11, pivotally mounted at its lower end upon the main frame, as shown at 12. Uscillatory movement is imparted to this arm, or lever, 11, to impart recipro catory movement to the slide-block and in the construction here shown the arm is provided with a longitudinal slot 18 to re eive a wrist pin 14lmounted on a crank wheel 15. The crank wheel 15 is rigidly secured .to a shaft 16 extending transversely to the main frame and projecting beyond the same at that side thereof opposite the feeding de vice, where it is provided with a belt pulley 17, by means of which power is applied to the shaft 16 and from the shaft 16 to the various operating mechanisms of the ma- T he shaft 16 is provided with a beveled gear 18 which meshes with a corresponding gear 19 on a shaft 20 which extends lengthwise of the main frame at one side thereof, and constitutes the main driving shaft for the machine. With the feeding mechanism in the position shown in Fi 1 the slide-block is at the forward end of its movement and the lower jaw is closed upon the stock. A further movement of the crank wheel 15 will actuate the rock arm 5-) to move the jaw 8 into its open positiomthus releasing the stock and permitting the feeding devices to be moved rearwardly to their initial position without affecting the posi ion of the stock, this being accomplished by a half revolution of the crank wheel. The further movement of the crank wheel will cause the arm 11 to move in the opposite direction, thus first causing the jaw 8 to gripthe stock and then causing the slide-block 5 to be moved forwardly to advance the stock. By adjusting the wrist pin radially on the crank wheel the amount of movement imparted to the arm may be varied and the length of stock fed upon each operation of the feeding mechanism regu lated. 7

After a section of stock has been fed for ward it is severed and in the present construction this section of stock is severed prior to the operation of any of the forming devices, and the section of stock sosevered constitutes the bar of metal from which the article is formed. Various cutting devices may be employed for severing the stock at the proper time, and in the construction illustrated we have shown the same as comprising a cutting block 21 mounted on the bracket 6 just beyond the forward limit of movement of the slide-block 5 and provided with a horizontal aperture 22 forming a guide-way for the stock. Cooperating with the cutter block isa cut er 23 adjustably mounted in a cutter block 2% rigidly secured to and forming a part of a lever 25 which extends transversely to the line of movement of the stock and is pivotally mounted between its ends 011 the bracket 6. That portion of the lever beyond the axis extends downwardly and outwardly and is provided near its lower end with a projection or roller 26 which rides on a cam 27 rigidly secured to the shaft 20, the shape of this cam being such that operative movement will be. imparted to the cutter at the proper time. A spring 28 serves to hold the roller constantly in en agement with the cam, and thus return the cutter to its normal or idle position at the end of each operation (see Fig. It is also desirable that some means shall be provided to prevent any rearward movement being imparted to the stock uponthe return movement of the feeding mechanism and we have here shown such a device in connection with the cutter (see Fig. 12). To this end we have mounted in the cutter head 2% a plunger 29, having at its lower end a reduced portion 30 memes 3 adapted to enter an opening 31 in the upper wall of the guide-way 22 of the cutter block, and engage the stock in the guide-way. The plunger is slidably mounted in the cutter head and is acted upon by a so ing 32 which tends to move the same downwardly, that is toward the stock, and this downward movement is limited by a stop 83 secured to the reduced upper end portion 34 of the plunger which extends beyond the top of the cutter head. As the cutter moves toward the stock, upon its operative movement, the plunger 29 will engage the stock prior to, or simul= taneously with, its engagement by the cutter, and will hold the same during the cutting operation. As the cutter moves clownward to complete the cutting operation the spring 32 is compressed and the plunger caused to grip the stock very firmly. The shape of the cam 27, which actuates the cutter, is such that the cutter head will be retained in its lowermost position, and consequently the plunger will be retained in engagement with the stock, for a sufficient time after the completion of the cutting op eration to permit the feeding mechanism to complete its. return movement, thus preventing any rearward movement being 1mparted to the stock by the feeding mecha nism, and insuring that the proper length of stock will be advanced upon each operation of the feeding mechanism.

The section of stock, or bar of metal, which is fed forward by the feeding mechanism is acted upon by suitable forming devices to impart to it the desired configuration, this action taking place in the present machine after the bar been severed from the roll of stock. These forming devices are arranged just beyond the cutter and in the present construction include bending devices and forming dies, but it will be understood that the forming devices as a whole may be of any character necessary to impart the desires shape to the article which is to be formed. With the forming devices here shown it is desirable that the bar should be firmly held during the forming opera tions, and we have, therefore, provided a suitable gripping device to engage the bar between its ends and hold it during the bending and forming operations. This g1 ping device, in the form here illustrated, comprises a pair of jaws mounted on an upwardly extending bearing bracket 35 which is rigidly secured to the top plate of the main frame and forms part of the main frame. One of the jaws, preferably the lower 36, is rigidly secured to the bearing bracketand' constitutes the fixed. jaw of the couple, while the upper jaw, 37, is movable toward and from the lower jaw and to this end is rigidly s cured to the end of a lever 38 which extends through a transverse opening in the bearing bracket and is pivotally mounted between its ends on that bracket, as shown at 39. A spring to confined between the lever and the top wall of the bracket tends to hold the movable jaw normally in its elevated position, and suitable means are provided for moving the lever against the action of the spring to impart downward movement to the movable jaw and to retain the same in its operative position. The jaw is preferably operated from the shaft and in the present construction we have caused the end of the lever to project beyond the outer side of the bearing bracket and to rest upon a vertically reciprocal arm, or bar, 41, which is mounted between a pair of lugs 4C2 projecting from the bracket 35 and is provided with a slot d3 to receive a pin 44 mounted in the lugs, the pin and lugs serving to guide the arm during its reciprocal movement. The lower end of the arm ll is connected with a lever 45, one end of which is pivotally mounted on the main frame, shown at 46, and the other end of which is provi led with a roller 47 which rides upon a cam 48 on the shaft 20, and is held in engagement with the periphery of this cam by the spring acting upon the lever 38 which carries the jaw. Preferably the contact between the end of the lever 38 and the vertically reciprocal arm s1 is formed by means of a screw 4E9, which enables the movement of the jaw to be regulated. The shape of the cam as which actuates the jaw is such that the jaw will be quickly closed on the stock and will be held in its closed position for a length of time sufficient to enable the various operations to be performed on the stock.

In the formation of the coil in the pres ent machine, the end portions of the bar, that is, those portions lying on opposite sides of the gripping device, are bent toward each other into substantially parallel positions, in which positions they lie between the respective die members of two pairs dies, which pairs of dies are arranged side by side. These forming dies comprise a die plate 50 which is arranged in a substantially vertical plane, intersecting the bar at the point where the latter is held by the gripping device. Further, the die plate and its associated devices are movable toward and from the gripping device and to this end the die plate 50 is rigidly secured to two bearing blocks 51 and 52, which in turn are mounted on, and held against movement relatively to, two parallel. shafts and 5%, which are slidably' mounted in the bearing bracket 35, and in companion bearing bracket 55, arranged near the opposite side of the main frame. Th die plate 50 has on the opposite sides thereof die faces 56 57 which are, in the present instance, arranged respectively below and above the horizontal plane of the stock as the latter is held by the gripping device. Arranged on the opposite sides of the die plate 50 and cooperating with the respective die surfaces 56 and 57 are two movable die members 58 and 59, which are normally spaced away from the die surfaces of the die plate 50 and are mounted and operated in a manner which will hereinafter be described. After the bar of metal has been gripped by the gripping device the die plate 50, and its associated devices, are moved toward .the bar. That edge of the die plate 50 adjacent to the gripping device is beveled on one edge, as shown at (50, in Figs. 9 and 10, and is provided with a projecting portion, or nose, 61, which engages the edge of the bar of metal between the jaws of the gripping device. With the die plate in the position shown in Figs. 9 and 10 the bending devices are operated to bend the bar about the end of the plate and bring the end portions thereof into positions between the fixed die surfaces and movable members of the respective pairs of dies. in the present construction the bending devices comprise two bending fingers 62 and 63, which are slidably mounted in the bearing bracket 35 and are normally retracted into positions in which they will not interfere with the jaws of the gripping device or the movement of the bar of metal to that device. Suitable means are provided for projecting the fingers 62 and 63 toward the die plate after the latter has been moved into the position shown in Figs. 9 and 10, thus causing the ends of the lingers to engage the bar on the opposite sides of the gripping jaws and bend the same into the positions shown in Fig. 10. It will be noted that the ends of the fingers are grooved to prevent the stock from slipping on the ends thereof, andthat the finger 62 is cut away to conform with the beveled edge of the die plate. The fingers may be projected along the sides of the die plate as far as desired, but the positions shown in Fig. 10 constitute the limit of their movement in the present machine, this being as far as it is necessary to move them in order to accomplish the bending operation. The bending fingers are also operated from the shaft 20 in timed relation to the move ment of the other parts of the mechanism. To accomplish this the ends of the fingers are projected beyond the outer side of the bearing bracket35 and are connected with the upper end of a lever be which is pivotally mounted between its ends, as shown at 65, and is provided at its lower end with a stud or roller 66, adapted to enter a cam groove 67, in a cam 68 which is rigidly secured to the shaft 20. The connection between the lever 64- and the fingers 62 and 63 is-preferably formed by means of a connecting plate 69 pivotally connected to the upper end of the lever 64 and having laterally extending flanges 70 through which the ends of the fingers extend, and to which they are secured. This construction of the die plate is such that the pivotal connection between the plate and the lever is in line with the fingers and consequently the thrust on the plate will be in line with the fingers. Preferably those portions of the fingers which extend through the flanges 70 of the plate are screw-threaded and provided with nuts to permit the relative adjustment of the plate and the fingers, and thus regulate the amountof movement imparted to the fingers. v

Reciprocatory movement may be imparted to the die plate 50 and its associated devices to move the same toward and from the gripping device, in any suitable manner. In the present construction the lower bearing block 51 has secured thereto a toothed rack 71 extending parallel to the shafts 53 and 54; and meshing with a toothed segment 7 2 carried by an arm 78, which is pivotally mounted on a shaft 7% (see F 1) arranged on the main frame, and is provided with a stud, or roller, 75 adapted to enter a peripheral groove 76 in a cam '77 rigidly secured to a shaft 8 which extends transversely to the frame and is connected with the shaft 20 by means of beveled gears 79 and 80. The rack 71 may be secured to the bearing block in any suitable manner, but preferably it is adjustable to permit the movement of the structure to be regulated and as here shown it is mounted in a dovetailed slot 81 and secured therein by means of screws 82. The rack is provided at one end with an upwardly extending lug S3,. in which is mounted an adjusting screw Sl, which engages the bearing block 51.

In order that the thrust of the'bending fingers may not come upon the actuating devices which impart longitudinal movement to the forming device structure we have provided a lock for the latter which will hold the die plate firmly in its adjusted position during the bending vof the bar about the same. While this look may be made in 7 various ways, that here illustrated is very simple and eflicient. The lock comprises a spring pressed bolt, or slide-bar 85 (Fig. 14) mounted in a bracket 86 arranged on the top plate of the main frame 1. The inner end of the bolt is arranged to enter a recess, or socket, 87, in a part carried by the forming device structure. In the present instance this part is carried by the lower bearing block 51 and is so arranged that it w1ll reg1ster with the bolt when the die plate is in its position nearest the gripping device. As here shown the socket is formed in a plate 88 secured to the bearing block by means of screws which extend through slots 89 in the plate to permit of its being adjusted, for which purpose it is provided with a screw 90 extending through a lug 91 on the bearing block. The bolt is positively actuated to move the same into and out of the socket 87 in properly timed relation to the movements of the other parts of the mechanism. As here shown the outer end of the bolt is connected with the upper end of a lever 92 which extends through the top plate of the main frame and is pivotally supported on a bracket 93 arranged beneath the top plate. That end of the lever which extends beyond its axis is provided with a projection, or roller, 94, which rides upon the periphery of a cam 95 rigidly secured to the shaft 78. The shape of the carnis such that the bolt will enter the socket just as the die plate completes its movement toward the gripping device, and will be moved. out of the socket after the completion of the bending operation and prior to the return movement of the die plate.

The movable die members 58 and 59 are slidably mounted upon the supporting structure for the forming devices, which comprises the upper and lower bearing bloclrs52 and 51 and the die plate 50. As here shown the movable die members are dovetailed t0 the respective bearing blocks, as shown at 130 in Fig. 3, so that it can have vertically reciprocatory movement thereon. Each die member has rigidly secured thereto on that side adjacent to its bearing block a vertical rack, as shown at 96 and 97, which racks mesh with pinions 98 and 99 secured respectively to the shafts 54; and 53, whereby the rotation of these shafts will impart reciprocatory movement to the die members. The bearing blocks 51 and 52 are provided with recesses 100 and 101 within which the pinions are mounted, and inasmuch as the pinions are rigidly secured to the respective shafts they serve to hold the bearing blocks against movement lengthwise to the shafts. The racks are preferably adjustably connected with the respective die members to permit the adjustment of the latter without disturbing the relation of the rack to its pinion. To this end. the die members are slotted to receive screws 102 which extend therethrough into the respective racks, and each rack is provided at its outer end with a lug 103, in which is mounted an adjusting screw 104 which bears upon the end of the die member, thus by loosening the screws 102 and actuating the screw 10 1 the die member can be adjusted to vary the relation thereof to the die surfaces of the plate 50. Preferably those parts of the die member constituting the dies proper are formed separate from the members as a whole, as shown at 105 and 106, in order that they may be renewed without the necessity of renewing the die members as a whole. Rotatory move ment may be imparted to the shafts53 and 54 to actuate the die members, in any suitand held against axial movement therewith,

and the reciprocation of the rack serves to rotate the shafts in the same direction, but inasmuch as the pinions for the two movable die members are arranged on opposite sides of the respective shafts these die members will be moved simultaneously in opposite directions. Reciprocating movement is imparted to the rack 107 from the shaft 78, and to this end the lower end of the rack bar is provided with a collar, or flanged head 110 to receive the bifurcated end of a lever 111 which is pivotally mounted at its outer end in a bracket 112 secured to the main frame. This lever is provided between its ends with a stud, or roller, 113, adapted to enter a cam groove 11 1 in the face of a cam 115 rigidly secured to the shaft 78. 7

It will be apparent from the foregoing description that after the bar has been bent along the opposite sides of the die plate, as shown in Fig. 10, movement will be imparted to the movable die members to cause them to approach the respective die surfaces of the die plate 50. It will be noted that the die members have their surfaces converging toward that part of the bar which is held by the gripping device, and as the movable die members engage the respective end portions of the bar they are forced upwardly and downwardly, respectively and caused to assume the positions shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, and in Fig. 15. In these positions the outer parts of the end portions of the bar are straight and substantially parallel, and are connected with the central portion of the bar, that is, the part held by the gripping device, by portions extending obliquely to the plane of the central part of the bar. Further, it will be noted that the shapes of the die surfaces are such as to turn the end portions of the bar about their longitudinal axes.

After the formation of the coil has been completed by the operation of the forming dies the coil is removed from the dies and from the machine. Suitable devices may be provided to facilitate this removal of the coil, and in the present instance we have proided ejector 116 which comprises a part lying back of one end portion of the coil during the formation thereof. To this end the die surface 56 of the die plate 50 is cut away to receive an eiector head 117 which is shaped to correspond to the shape of the die plate and forms a part of the die surface. This ejector head is connected with a slidebar 118 mounted on a suitable guide-way formed on the bearing block 51 and is held normally in its innermost position by means of a spring 119. At its outer end the slideblocl: 118 is provided with a depending fin 'er 120 havin an inclined surface ada at it) K) of the e'ector consecuentli the e'ectorfin 'er' l a i l 2:)

will ride over the inclined surface of the fixed finger 121 and will move. the ejector head 117 outwardly, thus dislodging the coil from the diesand permitting it to be readily removed. The finger 121' is pivoted so that it can swing outwardly to permit the finger of the ejector to pass the same as the forming devices move toward the gripping device. A spring 12 1 serves to return the finger 121 to is normal position and to retain it in that position. When the coil is ejected from the dies, as above explained, one arm thereof will lie upon a narrow plate, or shelf, 129, projecting outwardly from the die plate just beneath the die surface '56 and to remove the coil from this plate we have mounted. on the top plate of the frame adjacent to the lover die surface 56 of the die plate 50 a fixed finger 125 which is arranged adjacent to the plate 129 so that as the forming devices recede the end of the coil which has been dislodged from the die will engage the finger 125 (Fig. 8) and be held against further movement alongwith the forming devices. Consequently the further movement of the forming; devices will carry the same away from the coil and the latter will drop from the end thereof through the open ing' in the frame beneath the same. To prevent the coils from straddling the shaft 58 we have provided a kicker in the form. of an arm 126, which is pivotally mounted on the top plate of the main irame between the finger 125 and the trip finger 121, and extends inwardly toward the shaft 53. This kicker arm is held normally in a retracted position by means of a spring 127, and has connected therewith, in a plane slightly lower than that of the arm, a finger whi h is arranged to be engaged by the finger 120 of the ejector as the forming devices recede and to move the arm 126 against the tension of the spring 127. When the finger 120 passes the finsrer 128 the arm 126 will be released and will be returned to its normal position bv the spring 127. and in so returnin it will. strike the coil which has been partially removed. from the forming mechanism and impart movement there'- to in such a manner that the coil will not straddle the shaft 53.

While we have shown and described one embodiment of our invention we wish it to be miderstood that we do not desire to be limited to the details thereof as various modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. 7

Having now fully described our invention, what we claim'as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:-

1. In a mechanism of the character described, bending devices to bend a bar of metal into a substantially U-shape, and forming devices to move the end portions of said U-shaped bar into positions on opposite sides of a plane extending through and parallel with the intermediate portion thereof.

2. In a mechanism of the character described, a device adapted to grip a flat bar of metal between the ends thereof, means to act on the edges of said bar while it 1s gripped by said device to bend the end portions thereof one toward the other to cause them to lie edge to edge with their fiat surfaces in substantially the same plane, and to then bend the end portions of said bar into positions on opposite sides of said plane.

3. In a mechanism of the character described, a device adapted to grip a bar of metal between the ends thereof, a die to engage said bar near said gripping device,

devices to act on said bar of metal while it is held bv said gripping device to bend the end portions thereof one toward the other. said bending devices being independent of said gripping device. and other means to act on said end portions of said bar while it held by said grippin device to impart thereto a predetermined shape.

1. In a mechanism of the character described, a device adapted to grip a bar of metal. between the ends thereof, means to act on said bar of metal while it is gripped by said device to bend the end portions thereof one toward the other, and other means to act on the end portions of said bar while it is gripped by said device to move the same respectively into planes on opposite sides of a plane extending through and parallel with that portion of said bar which is held by said Dripping device.

5. In a mechanism of the character described. a device adapted to grip a bar of metal between the ends th reof. means to act on said bar of metal while it is gripped bv said device to bend the end portions thereof one toward. the other. and other means to act on the end portions of said bar while it is gripped bv said device to move the same respectivelv inro planes on opposite sides of a plane extending through and parallel with that portion of said bar which is held by said gripping device, and to turn said end portions of said bar about their longitudinal axes.

' 6. In a mechanism of the character de scribed, a device adapted to grip a bar of metal, a die to engage said bar near said gripping device, a bending device to act on said bar of metal while it is held by said gripping device, a forming device to act on said bar while it is held by said gripping device, said gripping, bending and forming devices being separate one from the other, and means for operating said devices in synchronism.

7. In a mechanism of the character described, a gripping device to engage the wider surfaces of a flat bar of metal between the ends thereof, means separate from said gripping device to act on the edges of said bar of metal while it is held by said gripping device to bend the end portions thereof one toward the other, and forming devices to act on the flat surfaces of the respe tive end portions of said bar while it is held by said gripping device.

8. In a mechanism of the character described, a device comprising a pair of gripping members adapted to grip a bar of metal between the ends thereof, and hold the same against bodily movement, a die to engage said bar adjacent to said gripping device, bending fingers arranged to engage said bar on opposite sides of said gripping device to bend the end portions thereof about said die, and means for actuating said fingers.

9. In a mechanism of the character described, a device comprising a pair of gripping members adapted to grip a bar of metal between the ends thereof, and hold the same against bodily movement, a die movable into engagement with said bar adjacent to said gripping device, bending fingers arranged to engage said bar to bend the end portions of the same about said die, and means for actuating said fingers.

10. In a mechanism of the character described, a gripping device comprising a pair of jaws adapted to grip a bar of metal, a bending device independent of said gripping device to act upon said bar of metal while it is held by said gripping device, a die to engage said bar near said jaws during the operation of said bending device, and actuating mechanism to first cause said jaws to grip said bar and to then impart operative movement to said bending device.

11. In a mechanism of the character described, a gripping device comprising a fixed jaw and a movable jaw, means for actuating said movabl jaw to cause a bar of metal to be gripped between the two jaws, bending fingers operatively mounted. on opposite sides of said jaws and movable transversely to the line of movement of said movable jaw, a die cocperating with said bending fingers, and means for operating said gripping device and said bending fingers in succession.

12. In a mechanism of the character described, a device adapted to grip a bar of metal between the ends thereof, bending fingers slidably mounted on the opposite sides of said device, a die cocperating with said bending fingers, cam operated lever, and a connecting plate secured to said fingers and pivotally connected with said lever in line with said fingers.

13. In a mechanism of the character described, a gripping device comprising a fixed jaw, a movable jaw pivotally mounted adjacent to said fixedjaw, and comprising a part projecting beyond the axis thereof, a cam operated lever, and a connecting arm interposed between said lever and said part of said pivoted jaw and capable of movement relatively to said lever.

14. In a mechanism of the character described, a frame, a gripping device comprising a jaw rigidly secured to said frame, a second jaw movably mounted above the first-mentioned jaw, a lever carrying said movable jaw and pivotally mounted between its ends on said frame, an arm slidably mounted on said frame and having one end arranged to operatively engage the adjacent end of said lever, and a cam operated lever pivotally mounted on said frame and connected with said arm.

15. In a mechanism of the character described, two pairs of forming dies arranged side by side, one member of each pair of dies having a reciprocatory movement toward and from the other member of that pair, means to move the end portionsv of a bar of metal between the respective dies, and means to cause the movable die members to move into engagement therewith.

16. In a mechanism of a character de scribed, two pairs of forming dies, one member of each pair of dies having reciprocatory movement toward and from the other member of that pair, a bending device to move the end portions of a bar of metal between the respective dies, and means to actuate said forming dies.

17. In mechanism of the character described, two pairs of forming dies, one member of each pair of dies having reciprocatory movement relatively to the other member of that pair, means to grip a bar of metal between the ends thereof, a die oooperating with said gripping means to hold the bar against booily movement, means to move the end portions of said bar between the respective forming dies, and means to impart reciprocatory movement to said movable die members.

18. In a mechanism of a character de scribed two pairs of forming dies arranged side by side, a device arranged at one end of said dies to grip a bar of metal between its ends, a die cooperating with said gripping means to hold the bar against bodily movement, a bending device indepencb. ent of said gripping device and arranged to act on said bar of metal to move the end portions thereof into positions between the respective forming dies.

19. In a mechanism of the character described, a plate, a pair of forming dies arranged on each side of said plate, and means to bend a bar of metal about the end of said plate to position the end portions thereof in operative relation to the respective forming dies.

20; In a mechanism of the character described, two pairs of forming dies, bending devices independent of said forming dies to move the end portions of a bar of metal between the respective forming dies, and means to impart reciprocatory movement of one member of each pair of forming dies.

21. In a mechanism of the character described, two pairs of forming devices, a die, and means independent of said forming de vices to grip a bar of metal between the ends thereof and to move the end portions thereof about said die and between the respective forming devices.

22. In a mechanism of the character described, a plate, a pair of forming dies arranged alongside of said plate, and means to bend a bar of metal about the edges of said plate to position one of the end portions thereof between said forming dies.

23. In a mechanism of the character described, a device to grip a bar of metal between the ends thereof, a plate movable toward and from said gripping device, forming devices arranged on the opposite sides of said plate, and bending fingers arranged to engage a bar of metal on opposite sides of the plane of said plate to bend the same about said plate and move the end portions thereof into positions to be acted upon by the respective forming devices.

24. In a mechanism of the character described, a die, forming devices arranged on the opposite sides of said die, a gripping device arranged adjacent to and at one end of said die and adapted to grip a bar of metal between the ends thereof, and bending devices arranged to act upon said bar of metal on the opposite sides of said gripping device to move the end portions thereof into positions to be acted upon by the respective forming devices.

25. In a mechanism of the character described, a device adapted to grip a bar of metal between the ends thereof, a plate independent of said gripping device and having 7 a part adapted to engage said bar of metal adjacent to said grippingdevice, bending devices to act on said bar of metal while it is held by said gripping device and move the end portions thereof intopositions on the opposite sides of said plate, and forming devices to act on said end portions of said bar.

26. In a mechanism of the character described, a device adapted to grip a bar of metal between the ends-thereof, a plate independent of said gripping device and having a part adapted to engage said bar of metal adjacent to said gripping device, bending devices to act on said bar of metal while it is held by said gripping device and move the end portions thereof into positions on the opposite sides of said plate, and a forming device to act on said bar of metal after it has been bent about said plate.

27. In a mechanism of the character described, a device to grip a bar of metal between the ends thereof, a plate mounted for movement toward and from said gripping device in a line intersecting said bar of metal at the point where it is engaged by said gripping device, a bending device adapted to act on said bar of metal while said plate is in a position adjacent thereto to bend the end portions of said bar into positions on opposite sides of said plate, and forming devices to act on the respective end portions of said bar.

28. In a mechanism of the character described, a device adapted to grip a bar of metal between the ends thereof, a plate movable toward and from said gripping device and having a part adapted to engage said bar of metal while it is held by said gripping device, and bending devices to engage said bar of metal and bend the end portions thereof on opposite sides of said plate.

29. In a mechanism of the character de- "eribed, a device adapted to grip a bar of metal betweenthe ends thereof, a plate movable toward and from said gripping device and having a part adapted to engage said bar of metal while it is held by said gripping device, bending devices to engage said bar of metal and bend the same about said part of said plate, and a forming device to act on said bar of metal after it has been bent about said plate.

30. In a mechanism of the character described, a device adaptedto grip a bar of metal between the ends thereof, a plate movable toward and from said gripping device and having a part adapted to engage said bar of metal while it is held by said gripping device, bending devices to engage said bar of metal and bend the end portions thereof on opposite sides of said plate, and a locking device to hold said plate against movement during the bending operation.

31. In a mechanism of the character described, a gripping device adapted to grip a bar of metal between the ends thereof, a plate arranged in a plane intersecting said I spective die nesvgeee bar of metal and movable into engagement therewith, bending devices to act on said bar of metal while it is engaged by said plate and bend thewnd portions thereof into positions 0 .l e opposite sides of said plate,

to lock said plate against moveing said bending operation.

a echanism of the ciaracter dea support for bar of metal, a plate an god in a plane intersecting said bar of me a, movable tcward and from said support and havii forming devices on the opposite sides thecof, means for bend ing the end portions of said bar of metal into positions to be acted upon by the respective forming devices.

33. in mechanism of the character described, means to support a bar of metal, a plate arranged in plane intersecting said bar of metal and having a part to engage said bar adjacent to said supporting means, and also having oppositely facing die surfa es en the respective sides thereof, movable die members cocperating with the resurfaces, and means to bend the d poi-ens of the bar of said metal about pa of said plate into positions to be 1 upon by the respective dies.

In a mechanism of the character described, a support for a bar of metal, a structure movable toward and from said support and comprising a forming device, and means for acting on said bar of metal when said structure is in a position adjacent to said support to move a portion of said bar into a position to be acted upon by said forming device.

In a mechanism of the character described, a support for a bar of metal, a structure movable toward and from said support and comprising a forming device, means for acting on said bar of metal when said structure is in a position adjacent to said suppor to move a portion of said bar into position to he acted upon by said forming device, shaft arranged parallel to the line of movement of said structure and connected with said forming device. and means for rotating said shaft. 7

36. In a mechanism of the character described, a support for a bar of metal, a structure movable toward and from said support and comprising forming devices. means for acting on said bar of metal when said structure is in a position adjacent to said support to move the end portions of said bar into positions to be acted upon by the respective forming devices, shafts arranged parallel to the line of movement of said structure and connected with said forming devices, and means for rotating said shafts.

37. in a mechanism of the character described, a support for a bar of metal, a structure movable toward and from said .ipport and comprising forming devices, and means for acting on said bar of metal when said structure is in a position adjacent to said support to move the end portions of said bar into positions to be acted upon by the respective forming devices.

38. In a mechanism of the character described. a device to grip a bar of metal between the ends thereof, a structure mounted for movement toward and from said ripping device and comprising forming de vices, bending devices to act on the end portions of said bar of metal while said structure is adjacent to said gripping device to bend said end portions into positions to be acted upon by the respective forming devices.

89. In a mechanism of the character described, a device to grip a bar of metal between the ends thereof, a structure mounted for movement toward and from said gripping device and comprising a vertically arranged plate having die faces on the opposite sides thereof, movable die members mounted on said structure for movement toward the respective die faces, and

bending devices to act upon said bar of metal on the opposite side of said gripping device to move the end portions thereof into position between the die surfaces and the movable die members on the respective sides of said plate.

40. In a mechanism of the character described, a frame, apair of shafts journaled in said frame, a structure mounted on said shafts for movement lengthwise thereof, a support for a bar of metal near the limit of movement of said structure in one direction, forming devices carried by said struc ture, means to bend portions of said bar of metal into positions to be acted on by the respective forming devices, and operative connections between said forming devices and the respective shafts, whereby the rotation of said shafts will operate the forming devices.

41. In a mechanism of the character described, a frame, a pair of shafts journaled in said frame, a structure mounted on said shafts for movement lengthwise thereof and having forming devices on the opposite sides thereof, a device arranged near the limit of the movement of said structure in one direction and adapted to grip a bar of metal, bending devices to act on said bar of metal while it is held by said gripping device to bend portions thereof into positions to be acted upon by the respective forming devices, and operative connections between said forming devices and the respective shafts, whereby the rotation of said shafts will operate the forming devices.

42. In a mechanism of the character described, a frame, a pair of shafts journaled in said frame, a structure mounted on said shafts for movement lengthwisethereof and having relatively fixed die surfaces, movable die members mounted on said structure to cooperate With the respective fixed die surfaces, a support for a bar of metal near the limit of movement of said structiu'e in one direction, means to bend said bar of metal to position portions thereof be'ween the re spective fixed die surfaces and their eoiipcrating movable die members, and operative connections between said movable die members and the respective shafts.

43. In a mechanism of the character described, a frame, a pair of shafts journaled in said frame, a structure mounted on said shafts for movement lengthwise thereof and having relatively fixed die surfaces, movable die members mounted on said structure to coiperate with the respective fined die surfaces, a support for a bar of metal near the limit of movement of said structure in one direction, means to bend said bar of metal to position portions thereof between the respective fixed die surfaces and their coiiperating movable die men'ibers, and rack and pinion connections between said ll i-TvlllQ die members and the respective shaf 44. In a mechanism of the character described, a frame, a pair of shafts jeui said frame, a structure mounted on said shafts for movement lengthwise thereof and having relatively fixed die surfaces, movable die members mounted on said structure to cooperate with the respective fixed die surfaces, a support for a bar of metal near the limit of movement of said structure in one direction, means to bend said bar of metal to position portions thereof between the re spective fixed die surfaces and their cooperating movable die members, toothed racks adjustably connected with the tive movable die members, and pinions mounted on the shafts and'meshing with th respective toothed racks.

a5. In a mechanism of the character described, a frame, a shaft journaled said frame, a structure moiuited on said shaf for movement lengthwise the I for a bar of metal near the .li t ment of said structure in one direct. t formingdevice carried by said structure means to bend a portion of said ha" of m into a position to be acted. upon forming device, and an operative connection between said forming device and said shaft whereby the rotationof said sluzst will opcrate said forming device.

4-6. In a mechanism of the character described, a shaft, a structure mounted. on said shaft and comprising a die plate having a die surface on one side thereof, a. die member movable toward and from said die sur face, and an operative connection b tween said movable die member and said shaft to memes cause the former to be actuated by the ro tation of said shaft.

47. In a m chanism of the character described, a pair of parallel shafts. a structure mounted for movement lengthwise of I s and comprising die )late ha in 3' die surfaces on opposite sides thereo i,

die members n'iovable toward and from the respective die surfaces, and operative connections between the respective die members and said shafts to cause the former to be actuated by the rotation of said shafts.

In a mechanism of the character described, a pair of parallel shaf a structure carried. by said shafts and comprising a die plate having); die surfaces on the opposite H w v 1 1'. sides hereof, die n ibers movable tor. aid

operative conne movable die membcm ant. cause the former to be actu tion of said shafts.

4:5 in a mochaill of the character dese die 1, pair ailel shafts, a structure said carried by and from the respective die surface I means for bending a bar of metal about ti o end of said die plate to cause portio .s thereof to lie between the resuective die surfaces and their eoopera" movable die members, and operative connections between said die bers and said shafts to cause the latter to be operated by t is rotation of said. shafts.

51. In a mechanism of the character described, a device to grip a bar of metal between the ends thereof, a pai of shafts mounted for rotator i meven tudinal reciprocator frame, a structure moui for longitudinal movemen f inp; devices carried by s, bent TI A we devices to been perm a our of metal held b v grippi r sitions to be acted upoi'i by the respecti e forming devices, and means operated by the rotation of said shaft for actuating said forming devices.

52. lin a mechanism of the character described, a frame a device lllOUZlGCl on said frame to grip .r of metal between the ends thereof, a pair of shafts mounted on said frame for rotatory and longitudinal re t the opposit sides therco. movable die non bars mountef Oh the respective bearing his to cooperate with the respective die sur of said die plate, means to act upon the of ne al held by said g ipping devi e to move portions thercoi "/etween said SUIIaCQS ann the respective movable die members, and means actuated by ;he rota-- tion oi said shafts in said bearing blocks to actuate said movable die members.

53. scribed, a frame, grip ping; device carried by said frame and ac. co p a bar of i etal between the encs thereof, a pair of parallel shafts mounted on said frame for rotatory and longitur al recipi movement, a structure can ied by said -l and comprising bearing in which the spectivc shafts rotate, each of said bearing blcclzs having a transverse opening, a pinion rigidly secured each shat't aw ranged vv'thii' tlie onenir in the re i :21 13d by sai a the pinr'rs on n 1 me nbers s the respective shafts ,1- means for be; ding: a bar of me al )ile it is held by said gripping device to posit'oi he end portions thereof between the die SL1 aces of said die plate and the respective oie members.

54. In a mechanism of the character d scribe-t, a device to 'ip a bar of meta bctween the ends thereof, a structure movable toward and from said gripping device, bending devices to actupon said bar of m tal, forming devices ca riec by said sti turo, and operating mechanism to first cause said g ipping dev' to grip the bar of metal, to aid structure toward said raid bendinpportions of the bar ions to .oe actupon by sa d forming devices, and L-O then actuate said gripping device to release said bar and to withdraw said structure.

55. In a mechanism of the character decribed, a frame, a device carried by said frame to grip a bar of metal, a pair of shafts rotatably and slidablv mounted on said frame, a structure carried by said shafts for longitudinal movement therewith, forming devices carried by said structure, means for bending a bar of inetal ping device to position acted upon by said fore tivc connections vices and saio shafts to cl;

be actuated by the rotation of said shafts, pinions carried b said shafts, a reciprocal rack bar meshing l pinions held by said gripparts thereof to be 1 1 i a devices, opeiawe the former to 7 ith both of said and means for actuating said rash b2 r to cause the rotation of said shafts.

56. In a mechanism of the character de scribed, a frame, a device carded l led by said she. f cal movement therewith, 'lorr H U 101 3c; ding a bar of metal. held by said gripping d vice to p sition bar's thereof to be acted upon by said fori operative iections between ming' devices ant-i 'mer to be actu- L ed by the rotatioi 01 said shafts, pinious carried by said shame a r-dproc rack bar me hing with both of saic pinions, a leve connected at one end with said rack bar an ts opposite enc,

pivctally supported at a cam a tingon said le or to nnpart rocatcry movement to said rack bar.

7? ii i in l in Q '-l 7 n1- H J- :1 or. in meciiansio oi me cltlldCLel e bed, 2 frame, a support :or a bar of a carried by frame, a structure movable toward am: comprising forming devices, means to bend bar of metal about a portion of said structure and to move the end portions of said bar into positions to be arted upon by said forming devices, a locking d vic mounted upon said frame and adapteo to engage said structure to hold the same against movement during the bending operation, and means to actuate said forming devices.

58. In a mechanism or" the character described, a frame, a support for a bar of metal carried by said frame, a structure movable toward and fron'i aid support and having" part adapted to engage said bar means to bend said bar of metal locking bolt mounted on said frame, sa d sJructure having a socket to receive the em, of said bolt, and means for actuating said bolt in timed relation to the movements of said structure and said bending devices.

59. In a mechanism of th character describes, a support to a bar of metal, a structure movable toward and from said support and having a die surface, a movable die member cooperating with said die surface, n cans to bend a bar of metal to move a portion thereof between said die surface and said movable die member, means to actuate said movable die member, an ejector having 2 from said support and 60. In a mechanism ot the c scribed, a support for a bar at stat, struccure movable toward and from said support and having a die surface, a movable die member cooperating); with said die surliaracter deface, means to bend a bar 0t metal to more surface said ejector liavi a linger pro vidcd with a surfa-e rran 'ed obliquely with the line of movement or 1- cti and a trip finger mounted on nine and adapted to engage said inclined. surface of said ejector finger as said structure moves, away from the support tor said bar o't metal.

61. In a mechanism of the character de scribed, a support for a bar of metal, a s ture movable toward and from said supgort and having a die su ace, a movable die member cooperating with. said die surjlkce means to bend a bar oi metal to move a portion thereof between said die surface and said movable die member, means to actuate said movable die member an ejector having; a portion forming a part of said die surface, means controlled by the movement oi. said structure to actuate said ejector and a fixed member mounted on said frame and arranged adjacent to said die surface to enthe end of said bar after it has been to cause the Ned from said die n to be disel a as the latter is ta a 62. in a neclianis i of the char scribed, a support a bar 0t net i, a 1i turc momble tor-Yard and from and having a die surface nber cooperating with bend a bar or metal to m t.on thereof between said die an said movable die m mber. means said movable die member, an ejector n a portion forming a part of said die surface. means controlled by the mover? nt of said structure to actuate said ejector, a fixed member mounte on said frame and ranged adjacent c said die surface to engage the end of aid after it has been ejected tron die surface to cause the same to be disc iarped from said structi e as the latter is Wit -awn from said port, and a spring; a uatcd finger mounted on said frame and controlled by the movement of said structure to 833N538 said bar of metal after it has been ejected pre ent its lodging upon a part of said mechanism.

In testimony Whereofi We arr; our signatures hereto. 7 

